Export trade adds nearly £2bn in value to UK red meat sector

UK farmgate prices for beef, pork, and lamb are all being bolstered by valuable global export markets for red meat.

Speaking at the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (Aims) annual conference in London, Jonathan Eckley, head of international trade development at AHDB, said exports were crucial in adding value to domestic prices through sales of premium cuts and also by helping to balance the carcass through sales of fifth-quarter products, such as offal.

UK beef exports were worth £583m to the industry in 2023, pork exports were valued at £570m, and sheepmeat exports at £562m, according to Mr Eckley.

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Figures from the British Meat Processors Association estimate that exports account for about 17% of total revenue for the UK meat processing sector.

Improved market access for UK meat processors to new destinations around the world has been crucial in generating additional export revenue.

However, factors such as exchange rates, shipping logistics, supply constraints and global competitors also have an influence on volumes of export trade.

Mr Eckley said: “Europe is still critically important to us, with 94% of our lamb exports destined for across the channel and about 80% of our beef exports.”

“However, just over 50% of pigmeat exports go outside of Europe, highly driven by demand from Asia.”